Mont Bleu Nail Tools: Glass Files, Nippers etc

Back in April, I was contacted by Mont Bleu to try out some of their nail tools. Now, you may not have heard of Mont Bleu, but I certainly have! I remember ages ago, reading raves about the brand for their amazing glass files from nail bloggers that I admired (I’m talking 4 years ago, ahem) – and thinking that one day I will try them. And now I’m finally trying them!
I received:
• Set of 3 crystal nail files “Wave Color” in “Light Rose-Tanzanite” [link]
• Dual-end glass cuticle pusher in “Pink” [link]
• Mont Bleu Cuticle Nippers [link]
• Original Foot Scraper & Callus Remover in Teal [link]

I’ve been testing these out for about a month and here are my thoughts.

I made a point to try primarily their glass product since Mont Bleu specializes in Czech glass items… since they’re a Czech company! They pride themselves in old-fashioned skilled craftsmanship, top quality materials and modern designs.

Let’s start with the one non-glass item, the cuticle nippers (€13.99 / approx $15.60 USD / $21 CAD) in 3mm size:
I’d mentioned in my “How I do my Manicures” post that I rotate between the standard spring-loaded nippers and the manual scissor style.

The etched logo detail is a nice touch.

I feel like I have more control with the manual style but I do find spring-loaded kind to be sharper. And boy, are these ones sharp!

See how precise the pointed tip is on the Mont Bleu compared to the Sally Beauty Supply one?

The only slight issue I experienced was that the screw wasn’t completely tight so the spring part had a tendency to shift while I was using it.
Nothing that a quick tightening with a screwdriver couldn’t fix. 😉

Next, the foot scraper and callus remover (€16 / approx $17.90 USD / $24 CAD).
I’ve been curious about this type of foot file – I had tried a glass one ages ago from Sally Beauty Supply and my foot actually filed the surface of that file smooth! XD (cue joke about how rough my feet must have been! I assure you, it wasn’t my foot, it was the file!)

Compared to the standard pumice file, the glass file was more gentle.

This one though, is genius. One side is grittier than the other – I prefer the finer grit side. It files in a very gentle way – the best method is to use on slightly damp skin after soaking my feet in sudsy water, and file lightly in one direction. The excess skin will just fall away. And I’ve used this several times now, and the surface of the glass has not filed smooth whatsoever! 😛

I took so many macro shots of this thing in an attempt to capture the texture – they all turned out looking like abstract art. XD

The file has a nice weight to it as it is made of high quality tempered glass. This is available in 13 different colours / effects. One suggestion for Mont Bleu: offer an all clear version for the purists out there. 😉

The dual-ended glass cuticle pusher (€5.49 approx $6.10 USD / $8.25 CAD) is the most unique item out of all the items I selected. A cuticle pusher made entirely of glass:
The ends have a slightly rough texture, which makes them very effective in grabbing the lose cuticle skin and pushing them back (it’s also super sharp). The slanted end is fantastic for getting into the grooves on either side of the nail bed.
I’ll list this tool as a “back-up worthy” item. It is offered in 5 colours and I want them all! (I have the same suggestion as the foot file – a colourless, clear version would make a great addition to this range! 😉 )

Here’s how the ends compare to traditional cuticle pushes – the pointed tip is pointier than the metal counterpart.

I’ve honestly never seen anything else like it. Similar to the glass foot file, it has a nice weight to it and I don’t fear breaking it.

And the best for last – the glass nail files with Swarovski crystals!
Aren’t they pretty? At first, I was worried that the crystal embellishment would make holding the files feel awkward. But that turned out to be not the case at all since my grip is more at the midsection of the file, rather than at the very end.

I attempted to catch the sparkle of the Swarovski crystals in the light… 😛

There are endless choices of nail file designs from Mont Bleu – you can go for the bare minimalist look and go for clear, or get zodiac signs, monograms, 3D effects, hand-painted designs, and of course, their specialty: Swarovski crystal embellishments. Check out all the nail file collections here – I spent so much time in this section trying to choose!
As for the file quality – they are excellent! The standard / medium size (135mm / 5.32″) provides the same level of course-ness as my elusive no-name 10 yr old glass file with the navy velvet pouch that I’d mentioned in my other post! It has the perfect level of grittiness – not too fine and not too course. It’s like finding Cinderella to fit the glass slipper! Or Goldilocks finding the perfect porridge… 😀

Compared against my 2 most reached for glass files. See how sharp the tip is of the Mont Bleu? Also, I recently realized that my OPI one has a chip at the tip! 😮

I found the large size (195mm / 7.68″) one to have a finer grit which was perfect for smoothing over the nail edges and for fine-tuning my nail shape. And of course, the itty bitty small size one (90 mm / 3.54″) is now in my purse for handy touch-ups and emergencies. This set sells for €27 (approx $30.20 USD / $40.60 CAD) which I think is extremely good value for 3 high quality files that will last for years. The files are also sold alone, in sets of 2 or 3 – the prices range from €4 up to €27 depending on the size, design, and quantity.
The Mont Bleu files come housed in sleek black velvet pouches.

The files also come with holographic stickers of authenticity to ensure highest quality. I had some fun capturing the different colours of the holo… 😆

I wished I hadn’t waited so long to try these nail files from Mont Bleu. I was hesitant because I couldn’t feel them in advance of ordering them online – but let me tell you, these files are The One for me. And I’ve tried a TON of glass files in search of a worthy replacement for my beloved 10 yr old one. Now I can rest easy knowing I can get more from Mont Bleu. Seriously, this is one of the best discoveries of the year and it’s only half way through the year! 😀

Here are the various places you can find Mont Bleu products:
• Mont Bleu consumer online store
• Amazon shop
• Wholesale site – on this site, you can see a glimpse of their manufacturing process – it’s so neat:
Mont Bleu was kind enough to offer a discount of 20% off through their online store (first link above). Just type in “BLOG” in the check-out and you’ll automatically receive the discount. And here’s the most important question – would I buy these items on my own? Yes, I would! I know that I’ll be getting more of the glass files and the cuticle pusher for sure – they would make fantastic presents (to give to others or for yourself… 😉 )

Note: these items were sent to me free of charge and I tested them out thoroughly before forming my own thoughts and opinions about them. Thank you, Mont Bleu!

Have you tried Mont Bleu nail tools? Are you a fan of glass nail files?

Yes, it was nagging me to get this review up before end of May… I almost achieved it! 😛
The glass cuticle stick isn’t too scary – it’s funny how we think glass is more stabby than metal.
I look forward to seeing what you got!

Maybe I could convert you… I converted one of my friends and she does her nails all the time now. She buys new nail polish on a weekly basis. I’ve created a monster! XD
The nippers are sharp but as long as you aren’t overly aggressive, you’ll be fine! Also, having some level of ambidexterity helps…

I saw on your IG that you received products from Mont Bleu. So awesome that you like the nail files too. I can’t believe I found a worthy replacement of my 10 yr old one – finally! 😀 Looking forward to your review!

Thanks – I’m glad you enjoyed! I’ve not tried the BBW nail files but I’ve seen the cute little manicure kits they sell. Summer is coming, what better time than now to pamper yourself with mani / pedi stuff? 😉

I love my glass nail file, and now that glass cuticle pusher has me intrigued! I saw another blogger talk about it and, between you two, I am now totally sold on trying it. The foot file is interesting too, I do not think I have ever seen a glass one… my pumice stone has really seen better days, I think it might be time for an order :]

I was skeptical about both the glass cuticle pusher and the foot file but they both work VERY well. Be careful with the cuticle pusher though – it is super sharp and I actually poked myself accidentally just yesterday with it. 😛 The foot file is so much more gentle than the pumice – I also feel that it provides a smooth finish on the skin. My SO liked it too. 😉

Oh my, you have mermaid nail files! These are sooo ridiculously pretty to look at, haha.
I LOVE glass nail files. I’ve been using the same one I bought from Sephora for 6+ years now – recently let my mom borrow it and somehow she snapped it in half, LOL, but I still continue to use it. Maybe if I ever replace it, I will get a Mont Bleu one. Very interesting, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a glass cuticle pusher either. The blush pink is really pretty 🙂

Ha, I didn’t even think about the file being like mermaids but yeah they are! 😀
I used to be scared of glass files but ever since my friend got me to try them, I’m hooked! They last SO long if not dropped! But haha how the heck did you mom snap it in half… is she Hulk?!! I definitely recommend the Mont Bleu ones – just don’t let your mom anywhere near them if you get them! 😆

I looked on their website, they have so many pretty designs and colours. One of each, please…
Definitely, I used to use those nail files that had a coarse, sandpapery surface (don’t know what they’re called), but I think they contributed to my nails peeling. Glass files are life-changing, haha!
Have NO idea how she broke it. It’s in pristine condition for 6 years, then she uses it once and somehow breaks it – LOL.

I think those old fashion nail files (emery boards, I think they’re called?) don’t finish off the nail edges as well as glass files. I still can’t get over how your mom broke your file… I think you should guilt her into buying you a replacement! 😉

I have to use cuticle nippers every other week because I have skin that toughens up around the edge of one of my fingers. I’m a bit apprehensive about glass files. I own one, but never used it because I’m not sure how it would feel under my nails (I’ve long thought of it like running them on a chalkboard, which is highly cringe inducing).

I’m similar to you – every week my cuticles come back with a vengeance. They are laughing at me!
I’ve heard some people say that filing using glass files feel like chalkboard but I haven’t had that experience at all! And I HATE the chalkboard feeling. Give your glass file a whirl, you’ll be surprised, I think!

The foot file sounds great. My feet have become as soft as baby feet because I haven’t skipped moisturising my feet even once since I started to take care of my feet a year ago. (Awesome, I know!)
However, my husband’s feet are proper man feet. He would benefit from using a better foot file!

What a gorgeous set of files, I don’t know what it is, but I can’t stand the feeling of glass nail files – something about it still turns my stomach (all nail files at one used to make me feel ill, I couldn’t even stand to hear the sound of it happening!).
Stalking all the posts that I missed…